The Paul Bunyan Playhouse 2013 Artistic Company

Zach Curtis - Artistic Director

Zach Curtis returns for his seventh season as Artistic Director for the Playhouse, making him the one of the two longest tenured AD’s in PBP‘s 63-year history. Curtis has directed twenty three productions here at the Playhouse, including The Who’s Tommy, Gypsy, Dracula, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, One Flew Over the Cuckoo‘s Nest, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, and Chicago. As an actor, audiences at PBP have seen him in The Full Monty, 21A,Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Boys Next Door, The Odd Couple, The Music Man, The Foreigner, Little Shop of Horrors and Born Yesterday.

THE COMPANY

Katie Adducci - Christina (Dancing at Lughnasa)

Katie Adducci is happy to be making her debut with Paul Bunyan Playhouse. She has received BA degrees in Theatre Arts and Communication Studies from Minnesota State University Moorhead. And has been performing/directing in the Twin Cities and regional theatres ever since, most recently with such companies as the Children's Theatre (Pippi Longstocking), Nimbus Theatre (Cripple of Inishmaan), Stages Theatre Company (Diary of a Worm, Spider, and Fly), Green T Productions (The Hobbit), as well as University of Minnesota, Pioneer Place Theater Company, Chameleon Theatre Circle, The Straw Hat Players and more. She would like to thank God, her family, friends, fellow cast/crew and everyone at PBP, and YOU for joining in this experience.

Bonni hails from Minneapolis where she makes her living as a performer and musician on stage and doing commercial, film, and voice-over work. She has previously appeared at PBP in The Sunshine Boys (Sketch Nurse), The Full Monty (Vicki), Gypsy (Tessie Tura), The Who’s Tommy (Ensemble), The Spitfire Grill (Shelby), and Don’t Hug Me (Clara). Twin Cities and regional credits include: Avenue Q. and Learn to be Latina with Mixed Blood, My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding with MN Jewish Theatre, Tony & Tina‘s Wedding, A Christmas Carol, and Mom’s the Word, with Actors' Theater of Minnesota, Beyond the Rainbow, Sisters of Swing, and Christmas of Swing with The History Theater, Don’t Hug Me, A Don't Hug Me Christmas Carol, We Gotta Bingo, and A Class Act at Hennepin Stages, Bush is Bad and How to Mow the Lawn at Old Arizona, and A Piece of My Heart with Theater Unbound. She has also performed at Heart of the Beast, The Lab Theater, The Red Eye Theater, John Hassler Theater, New Century Theater, Theatre L’ Homme Dieu, Spontaneous Productions improv, and as a swing dancer with The Swing Cats.

Doug Anderson - Ensemble (She Loves Me)

Doug returns to the Playhouse after a 14 year hiatus, having previously appeared in Pageant. In the Twin Cities, he has been seen as Knute Gunderson in the Don’t Hug Me plays at Hennepin Stages and performed with the Flying Foot Forum in French Twist at the Guthrie Theater. He has also made numerous appearances with Chanhassen Dinner Theater (Singing in the Rain, West Side Story, My Fair Lady, Oklahoma) and Hey City Theater (Tony and Tina’s Wedding, Nunsense A-Men).

Leslie Ball - Kate (Dancing at Lughnasa)

Leslie has performed on countless stages from the Walker and Guthrie Theaters in Minneapolis - to Carnegie Hall in Manhattan - to a U.S.O. tour entertaining the troops stationed in Panama and the Caribbean. In 1991 Leslie returned to Minneapolis to launch BALLS Cabaret, an experimental stage for performers of any discipline or level of experience. Currently in its 22nd year, BALLS is the longest running weekly midnight cabaret in history – and was featured in the New York Times as a "must-see" in the Twin Cities. Leslie's music career has earned several honors including the MN Music Academy Awards for vocalist and songwriter. Leslie was honored with the Hawkinson Peace and Justice Award for her work as an artist and activist. She earned her MFA at New York University, and her Master of Divinity Degree at United Theological Seminary. Leslie is delighted to be back at Paul Bunyan, and loves having time in Bemidji – a remarkable community with such deep commitment to the arts!

Kurt Bender - Ensemble (She Loves Me)

This is Kurt’s first time working with the Paul Bunyan Playhouse. He graduated from Northwestern College with a degree in Theatre and minors in Music and Psychology. Kurt has recently appeared in On the Town (ensemble) with Bloomington Civic Theatre, Reefer Madness (Jimmy Harper) with Minneapolis Musical Theatre, Mark Twain’s Mississippi (Henry Clemens) with Flying Pig Productions, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with Dessert Café, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Leaf Coneybear) with Chameleon Theatre Circle, and The Sound of Music (Rolf) with Eat Street Players. Kurt also works as a costumer and has recently designed costumes for Maple Grove Jr. High, Lakeshore Players, Collide Theatrical Dance, and others. After this summer he’s heading back to Chicago, where he grew up, to continue his theatrical career in the great theatres of the windy city.

Matt Berdahl - Steven Kodaly (She Loves Me)

Matt Berdahl is making his PBP Debut with a smile. Since 2011, he has been a Minneapolis/ Saint Paul- based theatre/ film/ commercial working actor. Recent credits include The Fantasticks (Matt) with Skylark Opera and Art (Yvan) with Bloomington Civic Theatre. Favorite credits include: The Producers (Leo Bloom), Kingdom Undone(Isaac), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Demetrius), Almost, Maine (Man 1), and Seussical: The Musical (Horton The Elephant). Matt holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts (Musical Theatre, Performance & Directing; Dance & Choreography Minor) from Minnesota State University Moorhead. See Matt next reprising the role of “The Man Who’s Had Enough” in Bloomington Civic Theatre’s, newly established- annual holiday show, Striking 12. He would like to thank his friends, family and “YOU” for all the support. For more information about Matt and further upcoming events please visit: matthewdberdahl.com

Alexander Broeffle - Stage Manager (She Loves Me)

Alexander is excited to be a part of the 2013 Season! He was the PBP Production Stage Manager from 2008-2010, and appeared onstage in Biloxi Blues (Selridge) and The Odd Couple (Roy). His Twin Cities theater experience includes Bloomington Civic Theatre, Theatre Pro Rata, and Theater Latte Da. Enjoy the show!

Nate Chesney - Ensemble (She Loves Me)

Nate is thrilled to make his debut at the Paul Bunyan Playhouse. Nate is a 2011 graduate of Bemidji State University. Some of his past productions include Guys and Dolls (Rusty Charlie), Oklahoma (ensemble), Our Town (Dr. Frank Gibbs), Antic Spring (Robert), and The Who's Tommy (ensemble). In addition to performing, Nate has also been involved behind the scenes as a member of the pit orchestra. He has played in productions of Grease, My Fair Lady, Good News, and Man of La Mancha. Thank you for coming, and enjoy the show!

Jordan Daoust - Sound Design (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde)

Originally from Michigan, Jordan moved to Minnesota in 2006 to attend Mcnally Smith College of Music. His career started in 2008, working with Timberwood & Wooddale Churches, Camp Bar, Actors Theater of Minnesota, Pieta Pictures, and countless "one-offs". In 2010, Jordan joined Bloomington Civic Theater as resident Sound Designer/Engineer, working on the last 24 shows produced there. Recent work includes: Project Success, Anoka HS, Johnson HS, Bloomington Arts in the Parks, Alive & Kickin'

Jake Endres* - Georg Nowack (She Loves Me)

Jake Endres is delighted to return to Paul Bunyan Playhouse, this time as an actor, having previously served as music director and composer from 2007-10. Those shows included Chicago, Little Shop of Horrors, The Music Man, Sisters of Swing, The Who’s Tommy, and Gypsy, and writing the score for Dracula. Jake lives in St. Paul and freelances as an actor, singer, music director, and composer. He has appeared with many regional groups, including The Minnesota Orchestra, The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Joe Chvala and the Flying Foot Forum/Guthrie Theater, The Children’s Theatre Company, History Theatre, Park Square Theatre, Skylark Opera, Actors Theater of MN, G.R.E.A.T. Theatre, Mu Performing Arts, Frank Theatre, Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra (MN), Bemidji Symphony, Nautilus Music-Theater, American Folklore Theatre, Pioneer Place Theater Company, Sapphire Chamber Consort, Dakota Valley Symphony, Dorian Opera Theatre, and Minnesota Dance Theatre. He is also the founder and artistic director of The Theatrical Music Company, an innovative, award-winning performance ensemble based in St. Paul, whose shows have included The Juliet Letters by Elvis Costello and the Brodsky String Quartet (with additional music by Mr. Endres). His upcoming projects include music directing Baby Case, a musical about the Lindberg baby kidnapping, at St. Paul’s History Theatre.

Michael Frohling - Lighting Designer (Boeing Boeing)

Michael Frohling is a freelance designer based in the Twin Cities and is making his PBP debut this season. Some of Michael's many design credits include All's Well That Ends Well at Theatre in the Round, The 39 Steps and Lost in Yonkers for New Harmony Theatre, The Producers for McLeod Summer Playhouse, and How I Learned to Drive for University of Southern Indiana Theatre. Michael is thrilled to be part of PBP's season and to reunite with Zach.

Randall J. Funk returns to the Paul Bunyan Playhouse after a one year absence - he previously appeared as Wait Until Dark (Carlino), One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (Dr. Spivey), Laughter on the 23rd Floor (Brian Doyle), Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure (James Larabee), Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Freddy), and A Midsummer Night's Dream (Oberon/Theseus). Most recently, Randy played Brian Doyle for the third time in Laughter on the 23rd Floor, this time for Park Square Theater. Randy spent six years as Artistic Director for Pigs Eye Theatre, working as an actor (Speed The Plow, Henry V), director (Buried Child, The Front Page) and writer (The Hound of the Baskervilles, Bring Me The Head of Dominic Papatola). Randy lives in St. Louis Park with his wife, Kris and his son, Ben.

Sarah Gibson - Gretchen (Boeing Boeing)

Sarah is delighted to make her Paul Bunyan Playhouse debut. Recent credits include The Light in the Piazza (Signora Naccarelli) at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul and Sunset Boulevard (Norma Desmond) at the New Century Theater in Minneapolis. This Fall, Sarah will appear in Lend Me A Tenor (Diana) at Pioneer Place Theatre Company in St. Cloud. Local credits include Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Skylark Opera, Lyric Opera of the North, Dead Composers Society, Park Square Theatre. Regional credits include Bucks County Playhouse (PA), Fiesta Dinner Theatre (NJ), Pocono Playhouse (PA), and the historic Highfield Theatre on Cape Cod (MA).

Alexandra Gould - Costume Design (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde)

Alexandra has been living and working in the Twin Cities since 2002. She makes a living by teaching and designing costumes for North Hennepin Community College. She has been company member of since Theatre Unbound 2007. In this area her work has been seen at The Guthrie, Penumbra Theatre Company, St. Croix Festival Theater, Gremlin, Theater Pro Rata, Gustavus Adolphus College. Out of town she has work for The Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Williamstown Theatre Festival, and The Texas Shakespeare Festival.

Jane Hammill - Berthe (Boeing Boeing)

It has been a few years since Jane has worked at PBP. The last show she did here was Barefoot in the Park (Ethel Banks), and she was also in The Last Night of Ballyhoo (Reba). Jane has fond memories of the Chief Theatre. Jane has been rather busy working down in the Twin Cities. She just finished To Kill a Mockingbird (Miss Stephanie Crawford) at Park Square Theatre. She was in The Cripple of Inishmaan (Eileen) for Nimbus Theatre, Les Liasions Dangereuses (Madame Rosemond) for Urban Samurai, Rabbit Hole (Nat) for Workhouse Theatre, The Mousetrap (Mrs Boyle) for Shadowplay Theatre and Leaving Iowa (Mom) for Theatre L'Homme Dieu. Her favorite role was Eleanor in The Lion in Winter. Some day she hopes to play her again. Jane has done a few movies as well, including the Coen Brother's ‘A Serious Man’, ‘Stay Then Go’ and ‘The Best Man Down’ which is due out this summer.

Melanie Hanson - Keyboard and Violin (She Loves Me )

Melanie Hanson returns to the Playhouse this summer on keyboard and violin. Last year she played violin in the pit for The Spitfire Grill. Hanson musically directed The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee this last spring in the BSU Theater. She has produced and musically directed several shows in the Minneapolis area including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Music Man, The Sound of Music, and The Wizard of Oz. Hanson has been involved in musical theater since she was a child. Her most recent role was “Glinda” in The Wizard of Oz. Hanson earned a doctorate of musical arts from the University of Minnesota studying with Sally O’Reilly; a master of music in violin performance from Youngstown State in Youngstown Ohio; and a bachelor of music in instrumental and choral music education from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. She is currently adjunct instructor of violin and music theory at BSU, private string/voice instructor and director of The Youth Orchestras at Headwaters, pianist for New Salem Lutheran Church in Turtle River, and Concert-Master of the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra,

Emily returns to PBP and Bemidji after a year hiatus. Previous work at the Playhouse includes The Full Monty, 21A, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Gypsy; Dracula, The Odd Couple, The Boys Next Door, Born Yesterday and Guys & Dolls. Recent Twin Cities theater work includes I Hate Hamlet (Shadowplay Theatre), Turn of the Screw (Torch Theater), A Behanding in Spokane (Gremlin Theatre), Laughter on the 23rd Floor and American Family (Park Square Theatre) and Eurydice (Walking Shadow Theatre Company). Emily is currently employed by Norcostco, as the Showfloor Make-up/Costume Rental Associate. Emily lives in White Bear Lake with her three children and two pets.

This is Morgan's first time stage managing with the PBP. She graduated from Carleton College in 2011 and now freelances in technical theater around the Twin Cities. Recently, she has worked with the Guthrie Theater, Mixed Blood Theater, Open Window Theatre, West Side Theater Project, Box Wine Theatre and Bryant-Lake Bowl Theater. Her favorite summer theater experiences include the Summer Institute with Cornerstone Theater Company in Eureka, CA and the KO Festival in Amherst, MA. She hopes to add PBP to the list!

Justin Hooper - Scenic Design (Boeing Boeing)

Justin Hooper spent a little time in Bemidji in 2010, assisting scenic designer Michael Hoover with PBP's production of Biloxi Blues. He had such a great time, that one evening he wished upon a star that Zach Curtis would someday hire him to design a show, and it seems that star must have been listening. Since then, Zach and Justin have worked on several productions together at Pioneer Place Theater in St Cloud, including The Who's Tommy, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged, and Forever Plaid. He is extraordinarily excited to bring his work to a new theater, and can only hope that he can live up to the quality which Michael Hoover and others have set with their previous designs.

Michael Hoover - Scenic Design (She Loves Me)

Michael has previously designed Biloxi Blues, Dracula and The Full Monty at Paul Bunyan Playhouse in addition to serving as resident Set Designer for the entire 1986 and 1987 Seasons back when he was young and brave enough to endure such things! Michael designs for many theaters in the Twin Cities , most recently An Iliad, Embers and The Edge of Our Bodies at The Guthrie; Johnny Baseball, Or, and Sherlock Holmes at Park Square; Lombardi and Nellie at History Theatre, Beautiful Thing at Theater Latte Da; and Dangerous Liaisons at Torch Theater. In addition to his free-lance career as a scenic designer, Michael is on staff at the Guthrie Theater where he supervises the Scenic Art department.

Katharine Horowitz - Sound Design (Dancing at Lughnasa)

This is Katharine's fifth show at the Paul Bunyan Playhouse. She previously designed Dracula, Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure,Three Days of Rain, and The Drawer Boy. Katharine has designed sound for many area and regional theatres including Pillsbury House Theatre, Mixed Blood Theatre, Park Square Theatre, History Theatre, Torch Theater, Mu Performing Arts, Gremlin Theatre, The Great River Shakespeare Festival, Provincetown Tennessee Williams Festival, Girl Friday Productions, and Theatre Pro Rata, among others. Katharine holds a BA in Theatre Arts from the University of Iowa. Her website is www.katsound.com .

Abe Hunter - Music Director and Pianist (She Loves Me)

Kristen Husby - Amalia Balash (She Loves Me)

This is Kristen’s sixth season at PBP, having appeared in Gypsy (Louise), Sisters of Swing (Patty Andrews), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey), Last of the Red Hot Lovers (Bobbi), One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Candy), Chicago (Roxie Hart) and Guys and Dolls (Miss Adelaide). She also appeared in the Playhouse’s remounts of Sisters of Swing and Chicago in partnership with Pioneer Place Theater Company, and most recently played Adelaide in Guys and Dolls for Rooftop Theater Company at the Paramount Theater in St. Cloud.. She holds a BFA in Music Theatre Performance from Viterbo University. Her most recent appearances in Minneapolis include The Mikado (Pitti Sing) for Gilbert and Sullivan Very Light Opera Company, and the title role in Debbie Does Dallas: The Musical for Fifty Foot Penguin Theatre. She has also performed with Mystery Café, Theatre in the Round, Old Creamery Theatre, Thunder Bay Theatre, Playhouse 412, Theatre Expression, Moundsview Community Theatre, Bloomington Civic Theatre, and Shoestring Players. Favorite roles include Despina in Cosi Fan Tutte, Phyllis in Iolanthe, Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Christine in A Doll House, Smitty in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Ruth in Blithe Spirit, and Polly Browne in The Boyfriend. Kristen grew up in Detroit Lakes, but now she makes her home with Zach and their four cats Hank, Daisy, Tobias and Keira in St. Louis Park, MN.

Erin Mae Johnson - Ensemble (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde)

Erin Mae Johnson is very excited to return to Bemidji after playing Catherine, the unpredictable nun, in last season's Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music. In the Twin Cities, Erin Mae has worked with the Buoyant Theatre Collective, Savage Umbrella and TheaterNOW. Favorite credits include Hamlet at the Jungle Theater (Ophelia) and Crimes of the Heart at Bloomington Civic Theatre (Babe). She studies at the Brave New Workshop and with Raye Birk at the Guthrie Theater. Additionally, Erin Mae has toured nationally with the Montana Repertory Theatre in Bus Stop (Elma). She has a very useful bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana. She loves Boston terriers, riding her bike and thinks Bemidji is her favorite place to be in the summertime. Erin Mae would like to thank her lovely family, her dear friends, Muffin, and her sweet Caleb for all their uplifting love and support!

Leif Jurgensen - Michael (Dancing at Lughnasa)

Leif is thrilled to be working with Paul Bunyan Playhouse for the first time. Most recently he performed in Alls Well that Ends Well (Theater in the Round), Work of Heart (Interact Theater), Flesh and the Desert (Workhaus Collective), and Ajax in Iraq (Frank Theatre). He has also performed with Children’s Theatre Company, 10,000 Things, Red Eye, 15 Head, Classical Actors Ensemble, and The Jon Hassler Theater. Leif works as a Teaching Artist with Children's Theatre Company's Neighborhood Bridges and Early Bridges programs.

Brian Kelly - Lloyd (Guys On Ice)

Brian Kelly is pleased to be back in the shanty...especially in summer when it ain't so cold. Brian is a veteran jokester, whose monkeyshines have been seen in Triple Espresso, Tony & Tina's Wedding, ComedySportz, We Gotta Bingo, Mystery Cafe, 12 Angry Men, Sisters of Swing and numerous TV and radio commercials. With composer friend Todd Price, he wrote (directed and starred in) the musical comedy The Temp. Brian has also written elementary educational school shows, children's CDs , and perhaps most notably, the bio that you are reading now. He also has the distinction of being the only cast member in this production of Guys on Ice not named Michael, which he totally lords over the other two.

Jessie Ladig - Ensemble (She Loves Me)

Jessie was born and raised in Bemidji and has appeared in 9 seasons at the Paul Bunyan Playhouse. Previous performance credits include The Full Monty (Susan), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Puck), The Who's Tommy (Sally Simpson), Chicago (Hunyak), Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Suzanne), Dracula (ensemble), The Music Man (Zaneeta Shinn), Guys and Dolls (Hot Box Dancer), and The Wizard of Oz (ensemble). In regional theater, she has recently appeared in Guys and Dolls (Hot box Dancer) with Rooftop Theater Company; Cabaret (Kit Kat Girl) with Bloomington Civic Theater; Beyond Therapy (Spirit of the 80s), The Who's Tommy (Sally Simpson), and The Full Monty (Susan) with Pioneer Place Theater Company. Jessie has also done choreography for Forever Plaid, Midsummer Night's Dream, and The Boys Next Door (PBP), Forever Plaid (Pioneer Place), and Guys and Dolls (Rooftop Theater Company). Thanks for coming out and enjoy the shows!

Michael Lee - Marvin (Guys On Ice), Bernard (Boeing Boeing)

Michael Lee was last seen at PBP in The Full Monty (Teddy Slaughter), Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Charles Dabernow Schmendiman) and Guys and Dolls (Sky Masterson). His numerous PBP productions include A Few Good Men, Charley's Aunt, Six Degrees of Separation, Pirates of Penzance, The Rainmaker, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Foreigner, The Wizard of Oz, The Robber Bridegroom, Something's Afoot and Don't Hug Me. Michael has performed with Actor’s Theatre of Minnesota in We Gotta Bingo! and Tony n' Tinas Wedding, and most recently in Guys on Ice. Other Twin Cities performance credits include A Few Good Men (Lt. Kaffee, Col. Jessup) with Pig’s Eye Theatre and Bloomington Civic Theatre, Dogg’s Hamlet, Cahoot’s Macbeth (Hamlet/Macduff) for Fifty Foot Penguin Theatre, all directed by PBP Artistic Director Zach Curtis, as well as Urban Samurai's Slasher! Walking Shadow’s Mr. Marmalade, ReWired Theatre’s ROBOhoma! and CTC’s Lyle the Crocodile and Grimm Tales. Thanks to the entire upper Minnesota community for your continued support of summer theatre in Bemidji!

Daniel Lundin - Arpad Laszlo (She Loves Me)

Dan is so excited to return to Bemidji for his 4th summer! Recent credits include Cabaret (Bloomington Civic Theater), Forever Plaid (Pioneer Place), and Guys and Dolls (Rooftop Theater Co.). Some of his favorite past roles include Jinx in Forever Plaid (PBP), Ethan in The Full Monty (PBP) and Jason in bare (Minneapolis Musical Theater), for which he was named Best Actor in a Musical by Lavender Magazine. He also enjoys a great microbrew, snobby coffee, long walks on the beach, cliches, meta humor, and not taking anything seriously.

Teresa McGriff is back for her 9th season with the PBP! She wishes to thank her husband, and the community of Bemidji for their neverending support of the Playhouse, and hopes that you all enjoy the show.

Grant E. Merges is a freelance lighting designer based in the Twin Cities who is excited to be working again with the Paul Bunyan Playhouse after previously designing Forever Plaid and 21A in the 2011 season. He has designed for other production companies including Stages Theatre Company, Bloomington Civic Theatre, Century College, Theatre L'Homme Dieu, Minneapolis Musical Theatre, Urban Samurai Productions, 3AM Productions, Blue Phoenix Circus Troupe Alive & Kickin' and Shadowplay Theatre. Grant received his MFA in Lighting Design from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Inspired by JMD. www.mergesdesign.com

Julie Ann Nevill - Maggie (Dancing at Lughnasa)

Julie Ann is thrilled to be making her Paul Bunyan Playhouse debut! In the Twin Cities, she has recently been seen in The Diary of Anne Frank (Mrs. Van Dann) at Park Square Theatre, Hannukah Lights In the Big Sky (Tammy Pearl), The Magic Dreidels (Fruma Sarah) with MN Jewish Theatre, An Absolute Turkey (Mme. Pinchard), The Enemy Time (Mrs. Pitts) at Gremlin Theatre, Julius Caesar (multiple characters in an all-female cast, which won an Ivey Award in 2012), 10 Virgins (Jenny Greenteeth) at Theatre Unbound, Sylvia (Sylvia) for Workhouse Theatre, The Life of Galileo (multiple characters) and Metamorphoses (multiple characters) with Theatre Pro Rata. She has also performed at The Jungle Theatre, Starting Gate Theatre, Joking Apart Theatre, and Theatre In The Round, among others. Julie Ann was also fortunate enough to have worked at Acadia Repertory Theatre in Maine over the past 6 summers, doing such shows as Private Lives (Amanda Prynne), And Then There Were None (Miss Emily Brent), Sherlock Holmes & The Case of the Jersey Lily (Lillie Langtry), Blithe Spirit (Ruth Condomine), Fallen Angels (Jane), The Pavilion (Kari), and Main Street (17 characters) along with many more. She has a BA in Theatre Arts from the University of Minnesota—Morris.

Randy Niles - Master Carpenter

A South Dakota native, Randy has most recently worked for Steppenwolf Theatre and Northwestern University as a carpenter. An actor and director at heart, Randy found his way into technical theatre as a fun, practical way to pay the bills. After this season, he will move to the Twin City area where he plans to write and direct his own Web series in addition to other theatre and film endeavors. He was most recently featured in the Web series, Dark Age. Looking forward to a great season, he wishes to thank everyone ahead of time for putting up with his shenanigans, tomfoolery and incessant film references. Randy holds a B.F.A. in theatre and an M.A. in secondary education, both received from the University of South Dakota.

Joseph is very happy to return for his sixth season at PBP where he previously appeared in Tommy, Harvey, Wait Until Dark, Rounding Third, Barefoot in the Park, Twelfth Night, Proof, and Arsenic and Old Lace. As an actor and dialect coach, his credits include the Guthrie Theater, Penumbra Theatre, Park Square Theatre, Mixed Blood Theatre, Old Log Theater, Children’s Theatre Company, and many others. He has taught theater skills at institutions including the Guthrie Theater, the University of Minnesota, Macalester College, and St. Olaf College. Joseph earned his MFA in Classical Acting from The Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Academy for Classical Acting at George Washington University. He is also an Associate Teacher of Knight-Thompson Speechwork and a proud member of Actors Equity Association.

Stan Peal - Scenic Design (Dancing at Lughnasa)

Stan Peal has done set designs for Actor's Theatre of Charlotte (Cuttin' Up, Blue, Pillowman), Epic Arts Repertory Theatre (Scratchy Scratcherton's Revenge, Goddess and the Magdalene) and The Minnesota Fringe Festival (Best Little Crackhouse in Philly). Stan last worked with the PBP as an actor in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. He currently works as a writer/producer at a TV station in Spartanburg, SC.

Dann Peterson - Mr. Maraczek (She Loves Me)

Dann Peterson has been active as both actor and director on various Twin City stages for over 40 years and is pleased to be making his Paul Bunyan Playhouse debut. Other theatres Dann has worked at include Theatre-in-the-Round, Off Broadway Musical Theatre, Lyric Arts Main Street Stage, Yellow Tree Theatre, 20% Theatre Company, Park Square, and Fifty Foot Penguin. He has also performed on stages in Oberlin OH, Chicago, and Kodiak, Alaska. Some of his favorite shows include Shadowlands (C.S. Lewis), 84 Charing Cross Road (Frank Doel), Quartermaine’s Terms (St. John Quartermaine), Uncle Vanya (Uncle Vanya) , The Dresser (Norman, twice), My Fair Lady and Pygmalion (Henry Higgins in both and Col. Pickering), The Elephant Man (Dr. Treves), Tartuffe (Orgon), and Pirates of Penzance (Major General Stanley). Recent shows he has directed include Life and Beth, Lost in Yonkers, Born Yesterday, Oklahoma, Arsenic and Old Lace, A Christmas Carol, My Fair Lady, and The Music Man. Dann is a graduate of Augsburg College in Minneapolis and earned a Masters degree in Theatre Arts from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL; he retired from teaching after 34 years with the Roseville School District as an English teacher and Drama Director. He now works as a freelance actor, director, and voice talent.

Michael Postle - Ernie (Guys On Ice)

This is Mike's 1st production at the Playhouse and he's happy to be making his debut in Guys on Ice. Previous productions include Kung Fu Hamlet (Laertes), One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Aide Williams), The Quick and the Red/I Married Odin (Leon/Rupert), The Front Page (Diamond Louie), Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Visitor), Henry V (Montjoy), Great Moments in Kung Fu Theater History (Oedipus the Kung), Sun Tzu's Art of War (Ninja), The Importance of Being Earnest (Earnest), Joseph...Dreamcoat (Pharaoh), Comedy of Errors (Angelo), The Medora Musical (Burning Hills Singer), Guys and Dolls (Benny Southstreet), and several successful (and one or three not-very-successful) productions with the MN Fringe Festival. Other professional credits in the Twin Cities include four productions at Bloomington Civic Theater (Crimes of the Heart directed by Wendy Lehr, A Few Good Men and 12 Angry Men directed by Zach Curtis, and The Full Monty directed by John Command), Arsenic and Old Lace and Crimes of the Heart (Pioneer Place), A Candid World (Illusion Theater), The Merry Wives of Windsor and Loot (Theater in the Round), As You Like It (The Guthrie Theater) in addition to working in film, voiceover, and commercial work. Hope you enjoy the show and continue to support live theater!

Joel Raney - Ensemble (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde)

Joel’s Twin Cities credits include Park Square Theater (To Kill a Mockingbird), Bloomington Civic Theater (A Few Good Men, 12 Angry Men), nimbus theatre (The Golden Ass), Shadowplay Theater (The Mousetrap), The History Theatre (A Civil War Christmas), Freshwater Theater (The Book of Liz) and Starting Gate (Our Country’s Good). He recently won Best Actor honors at the 2013 Z-Fest Film Festival for his work in ‘The Problem With Murder’, and also appeared in the film ‘Ghost Light’, directed by John Gaspard.

Paul Reyburn - Ladislav Sipos (She Loves Me)

This is Paul's umpteenth season at the Playhouse. He has appeared in over 25 shows at the Playhouse dating back to 1993, and made his Playhouse directing debut with 21A in 2011. Some of his favorite Playhouse shows include The Full Monty (Harold), Gypsy (Herbie), Laughter on the 23rd Floor (Kenny Franks), Chicago (Billy Flynn), Into the Woods (The Baker), Rounding Third (Don), The Foreigner (Charlie), Man of LaMancha (Sancho), Deathtrap (Sidney), Annie (Rooster) and Joseph... (Rueben) In the Twin Cities, he is on the Board of Directors for the Mpls Musical Theater (MMT) where he has appeared in numerous shows including Pageant, Lucky Stiff, Violet, and La Cage aux Folles to name a few. He played Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors at Pioneer Place, and J. Edgar Hoover for Penumbra’s staged reading of In Search Of Assada. This fall, he will direct Big River for Lakeshore Players. He is also a founding member of Pick A Line Productions, a new group presenting original shows. Has appeared at Actor's Theater of MN, The Guthrie, Gremlin Theater, Bloomington Civic Theater and Theater in the Round. Fans of Vocalmotive will recognize him as the emcee for Totino-Grace's Showchoir Spectacular for the past several years.

Shannon Roberg - Choreographer (Dancing at Lughnasa, She Loves Me)

This is Shannon’s third summer with the Playhouse - she has previously choreographed The Who's Tommy and Gypsy. In the cities, she is an instructor for Deanne's Dance Studio and Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists. All of the time spent with 3 year olds through high school Seniors makes Shannon really appreciate getting to play with the grown ups. Prior choreography credits include Chicago, Urinetown, Carousel, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, 1940's Radio Hour and How to Mow the Lawn. Though she feels fortunate to have a career in Dance and Theatre, she still holds out hope that she will one day be recruited by the NFL.

Andrew Sass - Gerry (Dancing at Lughnasa)

Andrew Sass is a Twin Cities native, and started his acting career in 2008 after graduating with a degree in literature from the University of Wisconsin. Some theatre highlights include reasons to be pretty (Walking Shadow Theatre Company), Julius Caesar and Troilus & Cressida (Cromulent Shakespeare Company), Woyzeck and Pirandello's Henry IV (Nimbus Theatre), Tempests (Tedious Brief Productions), Anon (20% Theatre Company), Lysistrata (Theatre in the Round), and Medea Ex Machina (Killing Joke). Film credits include Faux (Falling Up Sky Pictures), Three Bullets (The Other John Productions), A Method (Killing Joke), Branches(Exploding Goldfish), and Street Success, Bella Notte, and Two Stiffs (MCTC Film Program). He has appeared in commercials for Blue Cross/Blue Shield, iWireless, Best Buy, Calabrio, Numerica Financial, and Post-It Notes, and has done voiceover work for Great Clips and Rainbow Foods. When he's not performing, he is the Production Manager for Killing Joke Films, a banquet server at Minikahda Country Club, and a teller at Bremer Bank in Richfield. He is also an avid fisherman, cyclist, and yogi. He is beyond excited to be making his debut at Paul Bunyan Playhouse in beautiful Bemidji. Thank you for coming.

Matt Sciple - Ensemble (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde)

Matt was a 2008 City Pages artist of the year, and has directed, performed in or written over 100 plays for theaters across Minnesota, including PBP, where he directed Born Yesterday and played Renfield in Dracula, and Gremlin Theatre, directing Orson's Shadow, the 2008 Ivey Award winner for best ensemble. Touring prisons and homeless shelters with Ten Thousand Things, he has played more than 30 roles in 13 plays (including Tateh in Ragtime and Roderigo in the Ivey Award-winning Othello) and directed Waiting for Godot. Sciple teaches adults and children of all abilities with Upstream Arts and Acting One at Macalester College.

Karn Severson - Technical Director

Karn Severson recently finished graduate school in Technical Production at the School of Theatre at Florida State University. She was the Master Carpenter for the 2008-2010 seasons. She is excited to be back at PBP for a great Minnesotan summer!

Quinn Shadko - Ensemble (She Loves Me)

Quinn is thrilled to be making her PBP debut in She Loves Me. Born and raised in Minneapolis, she completed her undergraduate studies in classical voice and linguistics at Rice University before earning her master's degree in vocal performance - music theatre from NYU. Favorite roles include Johanna in Sweeney Todd, Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance, and Woman 1 in I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. While in New York, she appeared in Uncle Pirate (Miss Quern) with the Vital Theatre Company, RIP! (Jenny) with the Midtown International Theatre Festival, and performed in the first national tour of Clifford The Big Red Dog - Live! (Jetta). Recent Twin Cities credits include The Fantasticks (Luisa) with Skylark Opera, The Yeomen of the Guard (Elsie) with The Gilbert and Sullivan Very Light Opera Company, Mame (Gloria) with Minneapolis Musical Theatre, and A Christmas Carol at The Guthrie. Thank you for your patronage of the arts, and much love to Mom and Leigh!

This is Pete’s second season at Paul Bunyan Playhouse, having appeared in Nice People Dancing To Good Country Music in 2012. After training at North Carolina School of the Arts, he moved to the Twin Cities in 1981, where he is part owner of Mystery Café, the original comedy murder mystery theater. Over the past 20 years has played dozens of roles for Mystery Cafe, and performed literally thousands of shows for both general public and corporate audiences. In addition, Pete has performed in such venues as Frank Theater, Actor’s Theater, Urban Samurai, Bloomington Civic Theater, Gremlin, and, most recently, in Theater For the Thirsty’s production of Kingdom Undone at The Southern Theater. He is delighted to be back at the Chief!

Adam Terry - Scenic Design (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde)

Adam is excited to return to Paul Bunyan Playhouse. Adam was the Technical Director at the Playhouse from 2008-2011, and designed the set for Lend Me a Tenor. He has also been the Technical Director for the Pioneer Place Theatre Company in Saint Cloud for the last 8 seasons. Adam graduated from Viterbo University in 2004 with a BFA in Acting and Directing, and studied Shakespeare at the University of Surrey in London. This fall, Adam will be joining University of Missouri - Kansas City as an MFA Graduate Assistant in Technical Direction and Scenic Design. Adam would like to thank his family and friends for all of their love and support.

Jay Terry - Ensemble (She Loves Me)

Jay Terry is an actor, writer, and the Artistic Director of Pioneer Place on Fifth Theatre in Saint Cloud, MN. He started his professional acting career at Theater L'homme Dieu in Alexandria, where he played roles in Hello Dolly, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, Godspell, 1940's Radio Hour, and Little Shop of Horrors. At Pioneer Place, Jay performed in The Importance of Being Earnest, Chicago, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Who's Tommy, Sisters of Swing, and is a writer/performer for Laughing All the Way. Jay will be back as a writer and host of the Veranda Variety Hour, going into its 6th season.

This is Katherine's seventh season with the Paul Bunyan Playhouse, and her fifth season as Company Manager. She graduated from Bemidji State University in 2007. She has previously appeared in The Full Monty (Estelle), Lend Me a Tenor (Maggie), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hermia), Gypsy (June/Electra), The Boys Next Door (Sheila), Dracula (Lucy), Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Germaine), Biloxi Blues (Daisy), The Who's Tommy (Ensemble), Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure, (Irene Adler), Sisters of Swing (Maxene Andrews), Laughter on the 23rd Floor (Helen), The Music Man (Ethel Toffelmeier), Guys and Dolls (Hot Box Dancer), One Flew over the Cuckoo‘s Nest (Sandra) and Chicago (Anne) with the Playhouse. This fall she will again play Maggie in Lend Me a Tenor, this time for Pioneer Place Theater Company. In the Twin Cities and regional theatre, recent credits include Laughter on the 23rd Floor at Park Square Theater, Arsenic and Old Lace, The Who’s Tommy, Sisters of Swing and A Streetcar Named Desire with Pioneer Place, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change with the Chameleon Theatre Circle and Tales of Horror from the Holy Bible with Bridge Productions. Thank you for coming and supporting live theatre, and enjoy the shows!

Melanie Wehrmacher - Agnes (Dancing at Lughnasa)

This is Melanie’s PBP debut. Her Twin Cities credits include The Ultimate Pajama Party (Lab Theatre), Girls Only: The Secret Comedy of Women (Hennepin Theatre Trust), My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding (Minnesota Jewish Theatre), Iris and Maria/Stuart (Red Eye), and Fezziwig’s Feast (Actors Theatre of Minnesota). She has also worked with Theatre Pro Rata, History Theatre, The Playwrights’ Center, Yellow Tree Theatre, 20% Theatre Company, and Teatro del Pueblo. New York, national, and regional credits include Animal Farm: The Puppet Musical (Synapse Productions, national tour), Over the Moon (Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center), Manfest Cabaret (New Georges), and her original solo play Trip (Provincetown Playhouse, winner of the Jig Cook Playwriting Award.) As a playwright, Melanie’s work has been produced from New York to California, and at least a couple of places in between. She is also a company member with Science Live at the Science Museum of Minnesota where she can often be found pouring lava, freezing things with liquid nitrogen, or creating theatrical history in her many-layered portrayal of a raindrop.